SMART WEDDING MAGAZINE

This article was published in “Smart Wedding” Spring 2005

No bride wants to look back at her wedding photos and see her red clown cheeks and garish eyeliner glaring up at her. There’s no denying it-makeup plays an important role in achieving that special look on your wedding day.

This isn’t as simple as a swipe with your standard tube of lipstick. Your make-up needs to last from morning until, in most cases, the wee hours of the next morning. Stick with professional lines of make-up, which will last longer through your day. Your make-up also has to be suitable for photography, and although this is evening make-up, it need to look as natural as possible to the people you’ll be greeting. You want to look like yourself, only more radiant while you’re walking down the aisle or dancing the night away. With a little attention it is possible to achieve just the right look for you. The end result is make-up that is elegant, clean and bridal.

When applying make-up for your wedding day, start by cleaning and moisturizing your face, and then and then apply your concealer. Don’t forget, if you are going to have a facial or have your eyebrows plucked, make sure it’s done at least a week before the wedding to avoid red skin or reactions. Choose the right foundation to your skin tone to avoid looking too dark or too light, and have the texture of your make-up suit your skin type, whether it be water-based, cream to powder or powder. To be sure which is best for you, consult a professional make-up artist. Your make-up artist should use colors suited to your skin tone, not your bridesmaid’s dresses or flowers. A muted smoky look is a beautiful and timeless choice for a bride.

Blend your make-up for a soft look that enhances your features and balance the look by combining dark eyes with slightly lighter lips, or vice versa. Usually the make-up is the heaviest right after it is applied, but it absorbs slightly as the day wears on, so don’t worry if you’re not used to wearing it.

The best pick of products to have with you for quick fixes at your celebration are pressed powder foundation to get rid of any shine, lipstick for retouching, gloss for that sexy glimmer and blush for when you need to look a little refreshed (especially after running around the whole day). For women who absorb make-up faster than usual, have some extra shadow and eyeliner on hand just in case.

To choose that perfect look for that perfect day, make an appointment with your make-up artist for a trial, at least a month before your wedding. Discuss your likes and dislikes and feel free to come with pictures that impress you. You and your make-up artist will create the looks that best suits you. The make-up trial will give you the opportunity to see in advance how beautiful you’ll look on your special day.